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The Evolution of Hinduism
The roots of Hinduism are diverse, and yet have given life to two other religions: Jainism and Buddhism.
Percentage of Hindus in
World Today
Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism:
1. altars for sacrifice
and ceremonies
Traditional Flower Offering at a lingam, Varanasi
Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism
2.ritual bathing
-center of city was open-air “pool temple” run
by priestsGreat Bath, Mohenjodaro
Bathing in the Ganges (modern Hinduism)
Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism:
3.goddess worship
Lord of Creatures??
Supreme Yogi??
Shiva??
Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism:
4. concern for
social order:
-where lived based on
occupation
Reconstruction of Mohenjo-Daro
Aryan Migration in
the Indus Valley
1500 BCE – 600 BCE
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
1. cattle worship
-herdsmen :. valued cattle-socio-economic status
based on cattle-sacrifices to gods
(cattle, horses, goats, sheep, grain)
Jaisalmer:Desert Temple in the heart of Thar Desert
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
2. Vedic gods(devas)
-worshiped through rituals and sacrifices
Brahma, Siva, Vishnu(Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid)
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
3. The Vedas(“knowledge”)
-instructions on how to support,
enliven, and nourish the Vedic
gods
The Vedas
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
4. Mantras-sacred utterances
of utmost importance to
ritual
“Om”The sound of the universe
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
5. Sanskrit-ancient language of India
“Aryan” -> “Erin” -> “Iran”“naus” -> “nautical” -> “navigation”
“deva” -> “divine”
Sanskrit alphabet
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
6. There is a cosmic order to
the universe.(rita)
-maintained through ritual
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
7. “creator god”(Brahma)
-spiritual core of:templetowncountryuniverseall devas
Brahma “God”
Where did I come from?Where did I come from?
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:8. Atman
(the transcendental essence of human life) – “the soul” Brahma = Atman
If Brahma is not a “god”, what exactly is Brahma?!
If Brahma is not a “god”, what exactly is Brahma?!
What is the nature of the universe?What is the nature of the universe?
What is the nature of “god”
and my existence?
What is the nature of “god”
and my existence?
moksha
maya
samsara
the release from the human condition that prevents the union between Brahma and Atman
the illusionary condition of everyday existence
the cycle of birth and death that makes up our physical existence(Hindu idea of reincarnation as it is written in the Upanishads)
What am I supposed to do here?What am I supposed to do here?
dharmaone's righteous duty or virtuous path
To answer the question:
Live a life that promises worldly joys and heavenly happiness. a.k.a… Do the right thing!
But what IS the “right
thing?!
But what IS the “right
thing?!
Just follow your dharma
and obey the Vedas
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:9. Caste
– socio-economic class system-adhere to the social expectations, and cultural and religious obligations of your
role in society
Lakshmi: (caste goddess)Goddess of wealth and success
How do I know what my dharma is?How do I know what my dharma is?
Aryan Roots of Hinduism: 9.Brahmins
– priests-the gatekeepers to Vedic
rituals-knew mantras and
ceremonies-were the spiritual
philosophers and guides
Brahmin priests (today) practicing ancient Vedic rituals
How and why should I obey the Vedas?!How and why should I obey the Vedas?!
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
10.Upanishads
-priests started to ponder the purpose and
meaning of the Vedas-through spiritual
philosophy, they introduced new
concepts
Oh wait, I get it! It’s like good vs. evil!
Oh wait, I get it! It’s like good vs. evil!
karmathe ongoing influence of past actions on the future
Vedic priests explained the reason for following one’s obligations to his or her dharma and the sacred texts as “karma”.
NO! Karma is not about what is “good” vs “bad”. It is about what is “right” vs “wrong” according to your position in society and the Vedic teachings.
What is karma?!Good Karma:Swedish Fish
Bad Karma:Sour Patch Kids
-the conversation between Arjuna
and Krishna
-oldest Hindu texts
-four volumes of spells and
incantations, stories, charms,
and hymns
-one of the two great Sanskrit
epics-depicts discussion
about human goals, karma, and
moksha
-one of the two great Sanskrit
epics-depicts the
duties of relationships
Bhagavad Gita
Krishna
Arjuna
Vishnu
-Hindu hero-great warrior-friend and brother-in-law to Krishna
-a god-child -a prankster -a divine hero
-maintainer or preserver
Wait… why should I bother following my dharma and the sacred texts?!
Wait… why should I bother following my dharma and the sacred texts?!
According to the Vedic priests, it is the only way to break the cycle of samara (reincarnation).It is the only way to have one’s atman reunite with Brahma.
Can there be any other way to attain moksha?
Can there be any other way to attain moksha?
Actually, we believe there is!The Ascetic Roots of Hinduism
1. Shramanas– “spiritual rebels” during the time the Upanishads
were being written-ascetics: practiced
celibacy, poverty,fasting, exposingthe body to hardships in an attempt to achieve moksha
Wandering Hindu ascetic.
Modern day sadhu, ascetics that practice yoga
shramanas
jnana
“seekers” or “strivers” who seek the inner Atman through meditation rather than ritual sacrifices
•knowledge•Shramanas felt that jnana was more important than karma(knowledge more important than action)
•“cultivate detachment from the material world through ascetic practices”
Usually sadhus live by themselves, on the fringes of society, and spend their days in devotion to their chosen deity.
Ommmmmmm…Ommmmmmm…
The Ascetic Roots of Hinduism
2. Yoga- “union”
goal of yoga:- To become one with one’s Atman
Yoga poses
Yoga
• Restraint: nonviolence, speaking truth, no stealing, celibacy, lack of greed
• Discipline: cleanliness, serenity, devotion to god
• Posture: controlled, comfortable firm yoga poses
• Breath Control: mind can be controlled by breath
• Withdrawal of the Five Senses: as yogini enters into deeper awareness, witness loss of five senses as mind retreats into the body
Yoga
• Concentration: as yogini enters deeper awareness, mind becomes increasingly focused and concentrated
• Meditation: uninterrupted flow of awareness
• Absorption/Union: 1. awareness of self and surroundings has vanished2. then attain perfect consciousness—there is nothing left
to reflect in the mind.The mind has been released!
The Jainist Root of Hinduism1. Mahavira– teacher and religious leader
-lived at the same time as the Buddha-was an Indian king who renounced his throne
and all worldly possessions (including his clothes) to become an ascetic
-said he achieved complete freedom from worldly desires after 12 years of strict austere practice
-rejected the Vedas as an infallible authority in developing one’s own view of reality
Mahavira
One ascetic is said to have achieved true knowledge of the universe through ascetic practice. His teachings became the foundation of a new religion, Jainism.
The Jainist Root of Hinduism
2. Ascetism- Acts of self-discipline,
self-deprivation, and self-denial as a means
of purifying the self
Jain monk wearing mask. Jain nun displaying broom.
The Jainist Root of Hinduism
3. ahimsa- the moral principle of
respect for life- “non-injury”; “nonviolence”
- nonviolence- vegetarianism
The hand with a wheel on the palm symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahimsa
The Jainist Root of Hinduism
4. “sacred cow”- Spiritual lore has it that because Jains refused to eat
meat and spread vegetarianism, cows were permitted to wander free
without fear of slaughter or sacrifice
Sacred cow in Calcutta (photo taken during WWII)
"Friendship to all living forms,
delight in the qualities of the virtuous ones,
unlimited compassion for all suffering beings,
equanimity toward all who wish me harm,
may my soul have these dispositions now and forever."
-- Jain prayer
Jainist Nonviolence
Synthesis and Review
1. What is meant by the term “democracy in religion”?2. Why is Hinduism not really a polytheistic religion?3. What is the ultimate spiritual goal that unites all Hindus?
period of death
period of birth
period of life(collection of karma)
period of death
period of birth
period of life
(collection of karma)
